LANDS & SURVEY REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1926, Page 4

LANDS & SURVEY REPORT

POSITION IN WESTLAND

Tito following from Mr Morpeth (Crown Commissioner for Westland) was included in the Lands Depart meat's annual report:— Progress of Settlement. —Weather conditions in Westland have been very unfatimrable to farming operations for ibe year ending March 31, 1920. 1 here has been ppietically no summer, and the incessant rain has had such a had effect on the pasture that buttarfat returns have been much reduced, and dairy farmers in some parts of the district are drying oft their, herds much earlier than usi.nl. It has been difficult to save the hay, and white and green crops have not been as successful as usual. The rainfall for Hokitika was 131..G4in., and there were 1,908 hours ol sunshine in the year. Lime-works. —The works at Ivowhitirangi mid Ross are still carrying on, a'nd the farming community is realizing more and more the great importance of lime and top-dressing. At the Ross Lime-works the _ price of the burnt lime is 45s a- ton, and ol the carbonate 25s a ton on trucks at Ross Railway station, sacks extra. Iho ijirtage to Wataroa from the works is £3 a ton, and to Harihari 30s a ton by way of back loading, and both classes of lime arc, os a ton less at the kiln. A mixture recommended by the company is half a ton of burnt lime and half a ton of carbonate to the acre.

Timber.—The sawn timber which passed through Otira Tunnel for the year amounted to 34,340,000 superficial feet, a decrease of (587,941 ft. on last year. The output also included 239,148 silver-pine posts, poles, sleepers, etc., and 165,450 birch posts and sleepers. The gross timber return for the year is 73,452,000* superficial feet, an increase of 315.000 ft. on last year’s return, and a record for any one year. Of this total 18.732,700 ft. was taken from freehold, 38,354.05()ft. from Crown land, and 10,355.240 ft. from State Forest. I

The timber exported beyond New Zealand was 21.315,800 superficial feet, eomprisug 17,764.396 ft. of white pine, 3,473,204 ft. of riniu. and 78.200 ft. of birch. The gross export was 180,142 ft. less than last year.

Deteriorated Lands —The Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925, provides for assistance to the occupiers of lands in certain localities in the North Island where the Iprclnary operations for bringing bush lands into profit have, from somewhat obscure causes, been partially or wholly neutralised. Something of the same kind has occurred in this district, but, fortunately, not to any serious extent A matter, however. that should receive more attention is the condition of the pastures. A considerable proportion of the pasture area in this district is very far indeed from the peak of its productive capacity, and the question of extending the scope of the Deteriorated Lands Act to assist in this direction is well worth (consideration. Rearing in mind the special areas to which the provisions of the Act were expressly designed to apply, it must he admitted that the renewal of worn-out pastures is beyond the measure’s legitimate scope. It is, however, n definite step in that direction, and there can be little doubt that State advances for the purchase of linie and fertilisers, duly safeguarded, would be a payable proposition to both sides, provided, of course, the necessary transport facilities arc available and satisfactory. Flax.—There are three flax-mills operating in this district. The industry' is capable of further development. Large areas of river frontage, held on temporary tenures by adjoining owners, could in many cases be more pro-

fitably occupied by the cultivation of this valuable fibre. Revenue and Arrears.—The total gross revenue for the year (including Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Account) amounted to £34,930. Tho rent-roll amounted to £8,797, and arrears of rent £1,305, an improvement of £391 on last year’s figures. Land Board.—Twelve monthly meetings were held, as scheduled, during the year, occupying one full day each. The Board dealt with 117 applications for land, 123 transfers, 33 exchanges and 07 applications by returned men for advances, transfers, postponements, etc., together wit'll the usual volume of miscellaneous work.

Land Open for Selection.—An area of 4,873 acres was opened for selection by ballot during the year. Areas selected under various permanent tenures amounted to 144198 acres.

Land Remaining for Selection. —An area of 2,500 acres is now on hand, representing outstanding applications and various areas under survey to be offered for selection by ballot.